British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for “avoiding peace” in Ukraine, warning that Moscow must face consequences for prolonging the war as European leaders convened in Albania for the European Political Community (EPC) summit.
“Putin’s tactics to dither and delay, while continuing to kill and cause bloodshed across Ukraine, are intolerable,” Starmer said in a statement ahead of the high-level gathering in Tirana.
The EPC, formed in 2022 at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, brings together EU member states and 20 partner countries. Friday’s meeting comes as Russian and Ukrainian delegations prepare to hold talks in Istanbul aimed at ending the conflict. However, neither Putin nor Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the negotiations.
According to Downing Street, participants at the EPC summit will “pile pressure on the Kremlin” after Putin reportedly avoided U.S.-facilitated peace talks in Turkey. “A full, unconditional ceasefire must be agreed and if Russia is unwilling to come to the negotiating table, Putin must pay the price,” Starmer added.
The UK government has indicated that further sanctions targeting Russian energy exports are under consideration if Moscow refuses to engage constructively. This follows fresh sanctions imposed this week by the EU and Britain on Russia’s so-called “shadow” oil fleet used to circumvent previous restrictions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed doubts that the Istanbul talks will yield meaningful progress.
